Not something that happens every day. A commercial bathroom panel completely detached from the wall!
Pretty large hole from the original anchor bracket screws!
No worries, a hole big enough to run a plywood cleat from stud to stud should? be a secure and permanent attachment.
A brand new shiny wall bracket attached with security screws……
And voila! Mission accomplished! Just another day at the office!
Once upon a time the little cabinet locks from the hardware store came with a complete assortment of stock bar latches for any type of installation- file/furniture/cash box. Nowadays not so much. The good news- I just needed a shorter bar length when I replaced the old lock. Just another day at the “office”. Handcrafted small batch replacement repair complete with field expedient part fabrication.
Kitchen Faucet week recently here at the International Fixit Headquarters based in Raleigh, NC.
As a purveyor of small batch handcrafted home repairs those of you with long memories may remember at least one previous entanglement with kitchen faucet repairs. (CLICK LINK HERE)
Two different brands, two different experiences. The first adventure was with a premium Delta Kitchen Faucet approximately 10 years old with an unusual problem. The main tube clamp through the countertop had broken into two pieces and left the entire faucet spinning loose and unanchored.
I called the Delta Warranty Phone Line on a SATURDAY and was connected with an extremely knowledgeable help desk Technician. I explained the problem and he immediately set up a case account for me and walked me through the steps required to receive a replacement part.
I would need to send pictures of the installation so they could analyze the situation. So I sent a series of pictures to their email account later that afternoon.
The view from underneath the sink.
The model number tag.
And an overall shot of the faucet spinning loose in the hole. (Note handle at the front)
Monday morning I called to see if the email pictures had arrived in good condition and I was connected to another, DIFFERENT extremely knowledgeable help desk Technician. She immediately found the email pictures and advised me repair parts were unavailable as that model was obsolete but the current model was almost indistinguishable from this older version and that she would set the wheels in motion to deliver a completely new faucet by UPS Package. Monday Afternoon I received an Email with a package tracking number for a brand new ($365.00) Delta Kitchen Faucet sent directly to the homeowners address.
Imagine my amazement when the package arrived on Thursday Afternoon of THAT WEEK to a very surprised and happy Homeowner! Yes, the last time I had such uneventful warranty service was with a Sears Craftsman Wrench (CLICK LINK HERE)
So all is well that ends well. The homeowners have a brand new Delta Faucet at no cost. And I have a picture of the very odd metal failure that was at the heart of their distress.
Yes! Another handcrafted small batch home repair and improvement!
Occasionally in the course of Handyman Events there appears a curiosity wrapped in puzzlement within a wonderment. A “simple job” otherwise known technically as a “head scratcher”. A recent Bracket installation project was the very definition of just such a “simple job”.
I have ruminated about “simple jobs” in previous posts over the years. CLICK HERE or CLICK HERE or CLICK HERE
On the surface the assignment seemed straight forward enough: Drill 8 holes to attach 2 brackets with 4 lag bolts each. The brackets are to be used with suspension trainers, gym rings, yoga swings,hammocks, resistance or battle ropes.
But fun and hijinks began with the first instruction to wit: Drill a 1/2 inch hole. There is no place on these brackets where a 1/2 inch hole is desirable or necessary. To demonstrate this to the homeowner I drilled a 1/2 inch hole through a piece of scrap wood with a marked 1/2 inch spade bit. The supplied hex head lag bolts almost fell completely through the hole. Possibly the author confused the supplied plated 5/16 lag bolts with the fact that the bolt head itself requires a 1/2 inch socket to tighten or loosen. But that is the ONLY place the term 1/2 inch even enters the discussion.
So we settled on a twist drill diameter slightly smaller than the threaded shaft so the lag bolt would grab but tighten without excessive friction.
Without warning another speed bump immediately popped up. I cannot remember a rough lumber lag bolt EVER twisting apart while being tightened into an 8×8 post. If anything the socket on a 3/8 socket wrench is likely to crack before the bolt breaks! And that is only when used with extreme force to tighten a recalcitrant bolt. THIS bolt was easing into quietly into place when suddenly there were two pieces!
And THAT is when I noticed the supplied bolts came WITHOUT A HEADSTAMP.
For those who are unfamiliar headstamps are universally used to describe bolt characteristics, strength and manufacturer. Every hardware store sells only headstamped bolts in their inventory!
Headstamp identification PDF file CLICK HERE
Now I am looking at this deal with a magnifying glass, dare I say even a microscope if I had loaded one on the truck!
The instructions detail the number of bolts supplied as 2. However, there are 4 bolt holes in the bracket baseplate and 4 5/16 inch lag bolts supplied with each bracket. In a perfect world normal practice would dictate no two bracket holes be in line with each other along the lumber grain to prevent the possibility of splitting the wood. Generally this information would be communicated with a factory supplied template to indicate a suggested bolt layout. Every 10 dollar doorknob from China supplies a layout template for doorknob bore holes. Why this bracket would not have an equivalent template for bolt holes is a mystery.
Curiously the instructions DO have stern warnings about the load ratings required to use these brackets. 3750 lb shear load is alot to ask of most residential and commercial construction especially if the walls are metal stud construction.
Fascinating pretty relevant discussion about shear loads CLICK HERE
But the real question is WILL THE BRACKETS THEMSELVES STAND UP TO A 3750 lb load? For example some welds completely fill the surface gap and others not so much.
Sadly, I told the homeowner this whole setup is snakebit and these brackets might not do the job he wanted. Maybe some others might work better.
As Sgt. Esterhaus famously said “Let’s be careful out there”
After photograph – existing posts fitted with caps and new contemporary balustrade
Freshening up an existing entry way need not be a major production. Blend existing posts
with new handrails; add decorative caps and bingo! A more up-to-date appearance!
Before photograph- vintage 1980 entry handrail
After photograph- modern replacement balustrade attached to original posts.
For another example of balustrade work from the archives CLICK LINK HERE
The latest step modification project for the NEW YEAR! A gentle walkway overlayed on top of existing deck steps!
This can all be removed should anyone in the future want to return to the older 3 step design!
For now, a quiet, gentle walk down to the driveway from the back door!
Previous adventures with steps and step designs can be found here:
CLICK LINK
Call me at 834-4833 to solve your dysfunctional step problems and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
(AFTER Picture- A Generous,Comfortable Platform Design)
Sometimes the old fashioned step design is not really adequate for the needs of the household.
A slight change of technique results in completely different user experience.
(Before Picture- Cramped, rotten, uneven stringer design)
ViviLnk
There are many ways to upgrade dysfunctional step designs in carports and backyards.
Four examples from the archives: CLICK LINK (Deck Over Backdoor Steps) CLICK LINK (Carport examples) CLICK LINK (Entry Stoop Rework Platform) CLICK LINK (Trex Replacement Treads)
Call me to redesign your problem steps! (919) 834-4833
The location has changed from downtown Raleigh to new facilities at Box 5381, Raleigh NC 27650 (yeah these boxes are a little crowded) but the work continues, the hope endures, the dream will never die!
A new addition to my unique collection of doodads, whatnots, and thingamajigs. Behold a dedicated tool made from leftover scraps for those of us who need to fidget with ridiculously fussy door latches. No more scraped knuckles or finger muscle cramps. Just stand back and quickly twist the latch to lock or unlock !
Made from genuine American copper pipe, steel bolt, epoxy and authentic American Spruce. You know you need one!
Other doodads, whatnots and thingamajigs can be found HERE, HERE, and HERE and HERE.
So factory replacement sashes are adrift in a blizzard of bureaucratic paperwork and the damaged sash on the house is literally melting into mush minute by minute in plain sight.
What to do? Board up the window for an interminable interim? Or find a tricky way to stabilize the damaged section? Choice the second was not that difficult. Ordinary stock off-the -shelf moulding ripped down to size and overlayed on solid sash pieces protected and stabilized the damaged part.
The channel formed by the overlay was filled with old timey glazing compound for an attractive and robust repair.
When the replacement sash finally arrives the damaged sash can be removed in one piece and the new sash dropped into place.
A unique and inexpensive solution for a somewhat intractable problem!
Even with a crazy schedule Dog Days of 2022 managed to include not just one but TWO Grip Strip floors!
Yes, Grip Strip, the robust, hearty, innovative, completely underrated laminate floor that is slowly leaving the market in spite of obvious virtues and advantages lives on in certain locations and problematic jobs.
But not without a fight! Grip Strip will always be a favorite in the hearts of those of us who know and love the advantages and can work with the quirks!
On a slightly different note came also yet another classic door jamb repair. Every summer has at least one or two. You can NEVER have too many!
Explanatory video here CLICK LINK
So text 919-834-4833 or write PO Box 5381, Raleigh, NC 27650 and use the cool fall weather to get ready for the Holidays!
Kattermann's Handyman Blog 